Cutting Power gouge

[Robert Edington]

Tomorrow I want to cut some 3mm (1/8") acrylic. This is my first time to cut it. I've only cut 3mm ply since I've had my laser. Will the acrylic cut similar to the ply? I think I used 15mms and 40% power to cut the ply. I think I might have been able to lower that a little.
So my question is: Will the ply settings work for the acrylic or will I need to play with it.
Thanks

RP

[Pete Cyr]

You will likely need a bit more power for the ply. Trial and error is the way to go.

[Tim Mellor]

For a very rough starting point try a 30% reduction in speed if you are happy with your power level as a maximum. I cracked open my sample box and at 50% on mine that reduction worked well on Acrylic compared to a few different Ply's. I have since become happier with more testing to push the power up a bit on mine but the reduction is still much the same.

[Willy Ivy]

As said, trial and error is all part of learning your machine. Each new material that you engrave or cut will be a new learning curve until you know what your machine can and will do.
I save samples of each material with the power and speed written on each and even then you sometimes have to make adjustments because there is "no magic number."
Once you figure out what your max power setting should be, use it for everything and just change your speed and air assist, in most cases. Engraving is the hard one to learn and you will go though some wasted material.